Mascherano: 'I have to accept my place at FC Barcelona. Piqué and Puyol are the first choice centre backs and if they’re fit, they play'

Mascherano: 'I have to accept my place at FC Barcelona. Piqué and Puyol are the first choice centre backs and if they’re fit, they play'

Mascherano: 'Barça, lucky at El Clasico? I was on the bench, and I saw a very different game, where Barça was the better team and let a goal in after thirty seconds but still played their usual game'

- I have to admit I was surprised to see Puyol starting the match at the Bernabeu, considering how our captain had been struggling for fitness for months and the
tremendous performances Mascherano had completed while covering his absence.

Far from over-reacting or throwing his toys out of the pram 'Cristina-Ronalda-style', El Jefe Argentino accepted the coach's decision, put the team first and supported from the sidelines. Not many players in current football would show such as a brilliant example of professionalism. Bravo!

Fortunately for Guardiola, he has a magnificient generation of players to choose from, making his job as manager so much easier. What makes it even better is that these footballers aren't simply just skilled on the pitch: They are fantastic human beings off it.

That, in a nutshell, is what makes FC Barcelona special, and stronger.